FRASER, Mich. – Traditionally, the Metro Jets’ roster from year to year is heavy on Michigan natives.

Occasionally, though, the team finds a diamond in the rough from out of state.

This season, Nick Ceccarini is that find.

A Long Island native, Ceccarini is a 17-year-old rookie with the Jets and fitting in above expectations with the team, both on and off the ice.

“The organization is great,” said Ceccarini. “I came here because it was a great opportunity to play as an ‘01 in the USPHL for my first year of junior hockey on a team that’s been very successful in the past. Both the coaches and the players have the same mindset to get better as a team and to pursue their goals. Everyone works hard and is committed to the team along with all the work that goes into it. 

“Being offered a spot on the team was an amazing opportunity for me. Coming here and meeting the boys was an outstanding experience. All the boys were welcoming and made me feel like I was part of the family within days. They made me feel like I was already one of them that they’ve known for years.”

Through 15 games this season, Ceccarini has nine points on five goals and four assists.

Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville said signing Ceccarini over the summer was a move that has started paying dividends for the club.

“Nick came to us highly recommended for our program,” said Quenneville. “To be honest, he didn’t show well in our main camp tryout, but we saw enough to know the kid was a hockey player. There is a significant difference between kids who like playing hockey and those who want to be hockey players. He has been a sponge since Day 1 and every week is showing improvement in his game. If he continues to apply himself and buy in to the process here, he will continue to climb the ladder like so many others have. He has great vision on the ice and does everything with purpose.  

“Our program is designed for athletes like him that want to get better.”

An admitted Ottawa Senators and New York Jets fan, Ceccarini said hockey is all he’s ever wanted to do.

“My dad (also Nick) played hockey since he was young, and I was pretty much born wearing skates,” said Ceccarini. “My dad put me on skates when I was around four years old and I fell in love with the sport. I’ve been playing almost every day since.”

For the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, the Jets had another Long Island native (Patchogue) on the roster in defenseman George Hansen, a steady player now skating NCAA Division III for Gustavus Adolphus College.

“Personally, I don’t know Hansen, but I do know him from playing outdoor roller hockey on Long Island against him,” Ceccarini said. “He was older, so I never really played against him in particular, but I would see him every once in a while around the rink.”

And with the USPHL season roughly one-third over, Ceccarini has short-term goals in mind, as well as an eye on what the future holds.

“In the short term, I’d like to become a better hockey player and pick up the better habits that would make me better individually so I can help the team be more successful,” said Ceccarini. “I would also like to finish this school year keeping my grades up so I can use them to help me keep my future positive. 

“Long term, I would like to get into a good college while still being able to play hockey. I would also like to get more into video game design because that is what I want to do in the future with my life.”